U.P. Revisited: Shock Value and U.P. Food

04Oct

It’s been years since I walked through the halls and the now brick-like sidewalks of my university. For a concluding Saturday, we saw college students waiting at the jeepney stops and well, lots of bikers and joggers. Half the road of the university oval were already barricaded for them. During my college days, it wasn’t like this. I guess many now are appreciating how nice it was to walk (or in their case, jog, run or bike) under those trees.

I came back and walked the halls and sidewalks of UP to watch “Shock Value”. Likewise, it was years since I walked a play in UP. I almost forgot how I like watching plays. I guess I’m a frustrated actress… hihihi. Jose, my virtual boyfriend was so kind to (advance) treat me (for my birthday) and got us a ticket to watch the matinee show. Luckily, it was the 2nd to the last day of the play. We were hoping to see John Lapuz aka Sweet on stage. Too bad it was not his call time. But despite not seeing him, the play was hilarious. It was a satire about the back scenes of our television industry. It was filled with characters and roster of personalities you’ll recognized from onscreen. I had a very good laugh through out the show. Oh. There are quite a few scenes that are for “mature” audiences😉

Oh. I like how they termed these TV icons (on cam and those behind the cameras) “beautiful monsters”. Despite of how monstrous these personalities are, or even know the personalities or even the stories that we watch on TV (fabricated or not) we the viewers tend to continuously watch them and talked about them. Because that’s what we want them to be. We “buy” what they are selling.

After this play, I’m looking forward to another chance to watch and catch another play from Dulaang U.P. Ü

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It was just past 6pm I think when Jose and I, both craved for the usual (and famous) student food here in UP: fishballs, squidballs and kikiam. We had to walk in pursuit to any open stalls. Jose comes back to UP more often than me because of his masteral and experimental painting classes. I mentioned a few fishball stands I remember before, half of what I mentioned are either closed already at that time or was relocation somewhere else. Proof that a lot has changed in my alma mater.

Passing by between AS Hall (or Palma Hall) and CAL Building, I noticed a photo op background…

Our first photo op: Jose's Mary Poppins-ish Landing Pose

Mission No. 2 for the day… our college days comfort food…

UP Food: Fish balls, Squid balls, Kikiam atbp.

Remember the changing times I mentioned awhile ago? A proof…

UP Food Cart Now

All the balls and other street food being offered are sold in sets nowadays

Almost all stalls or food cart in UP looks like these. In my days, I remember Manong will bring out his bags of balls (no pun intended) out of a stryofoam container filled with ice side by side with drinks you can choose from: bottled, canned or in tetra packs. You can buy these balls by piece and you yourself will poke them out of the frying pan, hot and crispy. In the famous “kolehiyala” terms, you make “tusok-tusok” the fishballs. Now, food to cook are displayed and all the balls (no pun intended again) that to be fried are on a stick and being sold on sets (P12/set if I’m not mistaken). They even have cheese sticks, siomai, hotdogs and take note: pancit canton! Not to mention there are even combo meals or set meals like pancit canton + squid balls + hotdog sandwich for more or less about P65.00 at the most that you can choose from. College kids nowadays are quite lucky with these “variety” of street food in UP. Well, parents or health conscious people will definitely say these are not healthy food and shouldn’t be eaten everyday but hell! I’ve been a student and in tight budget (or saving up for something) these meals are my savior if I’m still a UP student at this time😉

Leftover waste from our devoured college food cravings

Manang draining the pansit canton noodles just ordered from her

I felt old BUT happy and simply satisfied with my Saturday in U.P. Diliman with Jose. Though it was quick, it was fun reminiscing while chomping up all those balls (again, no pun intended). That was our dinner, by the way. Cheap but memorable. I was dead-tired and fell asleep when I got home but I really had a great time! Thanks again, Jose. Looking forward again to another moment of nostalgia in U.P. Diliman ^_^